LNG

Nov 19 (LNGJ) - Malaysia has become the latest country to prohibit ships from discharging wash water from open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as scrubbers, while operating in its waters. The systems are one of the options to meet the International Maritime Organization’s 0.5 percent sulfur cap from January. Malaysian energy company Petronas has emerged as new Southeast Asian bunker market participants and is also offering LNG as fully compliant fuel from 2020 at its terminals at Pengerang in Johor and Sungai Udang in Malacca. Ships entering Malaysian waters have been advised to change over to low-sulfur fuel oil or to closed-loop scrubbers.

   Open-loop scrubbers spray exhaust with seawater, causing sulphur oxide to react and form sulphuric acid. However, EGCS manufacturers contend that the natural alkaline qualities of seawater neutralizes the acid, while opponents argue that the discharge is harmful to the marine environments. Malaysia is the latest to ban open-loop scrubbers following the same move by China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Panama.

Oct 1 (LNG) - Avenir LNG, a small-scale joint venture comprising Norwegian firms Stolt-Nielsen, Hoegh LNG and Golar LNG, said that Malaysian energy company Petronas has chartered Avenir’s first carrier of 7,500 cubic metres capacity. “The vessel will provide bunkering to LNG-fuelled vessels across Malaysia in addition to transport services for small-scale terminals in the region,” said Avenir.

   Avenir received cooperation in the charter from Malaysian shipping line MISC Berhad, the main shipping partner of Petronas. “Avenir and MISC will form a joint venture company to manage the commercial operations of the LNG carrier whereas ship management services will be provided by Eaglestar Shipmanagement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MISC,” said a statement.